Method for parting elongated fracturable members



Aug. 23, 1960 c. J. WHEELER 2,950,035

METHOD FOR PARTING ELONGATED FRACTURABLE MEMBERS Filed May 22, 1959 4sheets-shee 1 F ig. 2

IN V EN TOR. 08

CHARLES J. WHEELER BY F /'g. 3

ATTO R NE Y S 1960 c. J. WHEELER 2,950,035

METHOD FOR PARTING ELONGATED FRACTURABLE MEMBERS Filed May 22, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

CHARLES J. WHEELER ATTORNEYS v Aug. 23, 1960 c. J. WHEELER METHOD FORPARTING ELONGAIED FRACTURABLE MEMBERS Filed May 22, 1959 mmomou LO 2wl.w m 0200mm 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w Om Em. .m om

w Ohio .550.

m On .10

EM. ILLE INVENTOR.

CHARLES J. WHEELER ATTORNEYS United States tent O METHOD FOR PARTINGELONGATED FRACTURABLE MEMBERS Charles J. Wheeler, RD. 4, Box 310,Chardon, Ohio Filed May 22, 1959, Ser. No. 815,062

8 Claims. (Cl. 225-1) This invention relates to the parting of elongatedfracturable members.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior applicationSerial No. 578,208, filed April '16, 1956, now abandoned, and of myprior application Serial No. 758,392, filed September 2, 1958.

While not limited thereto, the invention is particularly useful inparting or cutting elongated fracturable members, such as cast ironpipe, cast iron soil pipe, AWWA water main pipe, tile chimney flueliners, clay pipe, concrete pipe, terra cotta pipe, transite pipe,whether of circular, oval or other cross-sectional shape. The cutter islikewise capable of cutting glass tubing and rods.

The invention may be hand-operated or hydraulically operated. Ahand-operated cutter will part or cut 2" thru 6" standard or extra heavysoil pipe 2" thru 15" glazed tile 2" thru 6" acid proof pipe 2" thru 6"asbestos cement pipe, round or oval 2" thru 18" tile or terra cotta 2thru 8" transite sewer or vent pipe 2" thru 6" corrosion resistant pipe2" thru 8" Duriron Chimney flue liners, square or round 6 transitepressure pipe The hydraulically operated cutter is capable of cutting 4thru 12" class 150 AWWA water main (regular or cement lined) 4" thru 8"class 250 AWWA water main 4" thru 12" cement lined cast iron water main4" thru 36 glazed tile 4" thru 12" asbestos cement pipe 4" thru 15"standard or extra heavy soil pipe 6" thru 36" terra cotta or tile pipe4" thru 12" transite pressure pipe, round or oval In this applicationthe pipes and rods above referred to will be characterized as elongatedfracturable members.

An object of the invention is to part or cut an elongated fracturablemember by subjecting the outer peripheral surface thereof to a system ofradially and peripherally directed forces and increasing said system offorces until the elongated fracturable member fractures or is parted.

Another object is the parting of an elongated fracturable member bysubjecting the outer peripheral surface thereof to at least five systemsof radially and peripherally directed forces and of increasing saidforces until the member fractures or is parted.

Another object is the parting of an elongated fracturable member bysubjecting the outer peripheral surface thereof to at least six systemsof radially and peripherally directed forces and of increasing saidforces until the member fractures or is parted.

Another object of the invention is the parting of an elongatedfracturable member by subjecting the outer peripheral surface thereof toa plurality of cutting means, including the blade type or the rotarytype, and of pressing the cutting means against said outer peripheralsurface by at least five systems of radially and peripherally directedforces and of increasing said forces until the elongated fracturablemember fractures or is parted.

Another object is the parting of an elongated fracturable member bymaking a plurality of indentures around the outer peripheral surfacethereof with the indentures being spaced apart in an annular directionand with the size of said indentures gradually increasing from one sideof the elongated fracturable member to the opposite side thereof.

Another object is the parting of an elongated fracturable member bysubjecting the outer peripheral surface thereof to at least five systemsof radially and peripherally directed forces and of hydraulicallycontrolling said systems of forces by successive pulses graduallyincreasing in magnitude upon each pulse.

Another object is to part an elongated fracturable member by subjectingthe outer peripheral surface thereof to at least five systems ofradially and peripherally directed forces by means of a cutter chainhaving terminal cutter means which are spaced apart from each other andwhich are controlled by at least two of said five systems of forces,with said two systems of forces directing said terminal cutter means inresultant paths and with each path comprising a movement which isdisposed on spaced apart sections of a line extending between said twospaced cutter means inside of the outer peripheral surface of saidelongated fracturable member and with said spaced sections of said pathsbeing angularly misaligned with respect to each other.

Another object of the invention is the method wherein the skew movingcutter means cuts mostly on the front or leading side thereof and lesson the trailing side and wherein the substantially radially movingcutter means cuts substantially equallyon both the leading and trailingsides.

Another object of the inventionis the method wherein the skew movingcutter means comprising both an in: wardly directed radial movement anda peripherally directed movement appear to make deeper indentures thanthe indentures made by the substantially inwardly radially moving cuttermeans.

Another object of the invention is the method wherein at least one ofthe terminal cutter means makes a radially and peripherally directedskew indenture in opposition to a substantially radially directedindenture made by an intermediate cutter means on the opposite side ofthe fracturable member.

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of apparatus and methodfor parting elongated fracturable members.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this inven tion may be hadby referring to the following description and claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 ,is a fragmentary side view of a cutting or parting apparatusillustrating the method of parting a pipe which is shown in section;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view, taken along the line 22 of Figure1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2 showing rotary cuttermeans instead of blade means employed in the method and apparatus;

Figure 4 is a side view of a hydraulic cutting or parting apparatusillustrating the method of parting a pipe which is shown in section;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View of Figure 4 and shows in addition theretoan extra force means to force a selected cutting means against the pipeto be parted;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a saddle used in ap plying the forceto the cutter means;

Figure 7 is a side view of apparatus for parting an elongatedfracturable member by means of hydraulic pressure;

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 19-19 of Fig.

are 7 and shows principally one of the hydraulic wedging units;

Figure 9 is a view taken ure 7 and shows principally the lever arms uponwhich the terminal hydraulic units are pivotally mounted;

Figure 10 is a view taken along the line 21-21 of Figure 7 and showsprincipally the arrangement for applying a separate external force to aselected hydraulic wedging unit; and

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the method for parting anelongated fracturable member.

It will be appreciated that apparatus of this invention includespreferably a plurality of spaced, uniformly circumferentiallydistributed cutter edges, and means to apply radially directed pressurethereto. Generally, this means may comprise a variety of pressuresources including, for example, purely mechanical, electrical orhydraulic devices, or some combination thereof. Hence, it will beunderstood that different means may be employed to apply pressure to aseries of cutter edges peripherally disposed around an article to be cutwhereby a concentrated, resultant, inwardly radially directedartiole-cutting force is achieved.

It generally is preferred to utilize as this means a pressure clampadapted to engage the cutter linkage, e.g., with the two jaws of theclamp, and by movement of the jaws to effect the ap lication of tensionto said linkage while disposed about the pipe or other article to becut, thus imparting a concentrated pipe constricting squeeze cuttingpressure sufiicient to shear cut the pipe wall. A specifically preferredmeans for applying pressure to the cutter edges is a compound leveragepressure clamp mechanism of the type usually employed in a manuallyoperated bolt cutter. Such a device typically includes two handles whichare pivotally connected to each other near one end and each of whichpivotally supports an adjustable second pi ot arm, each of the secondpivot arms in turn, pivotally supporting a third pivot arm. These thirdpivot arms, each pivotally secured at one end thereof to the secondpivot arm are fixedly, yet pivotally, connected to each otherintermediate their ends. The free ends of the third pivot arms comprisethe jaws of the pressure clamp which, by means of a thus greatlymultiplied leverage power, are able to exert tremendous forcetherebetween.

It will thus be understood that a specifically preferred apparatus ofthis invention, especially adapted for the cutting of cast iron pipecomprises a cutter assembly, including a plurality of spaced, pivotallymounted cutters connected into a non-extensible chain, typically aso-cal-led roller chain as used in sprocket gear drive devices, adaptedto encircle the pipe where cutting is desired and to apply theretoinwardly directed radial and peripheral pressure sufi-lcient to cut thepipe quickly and accurately while the cutters are stationary withrespect to the pipe, one end of the linkage being connected to One jawof a pressure clamp means, especially a compound leverage pressureclamp, the other jaw of the clamp engaging the linkage at a pointdictated by the size of the pipe to be cut, that is, at a point on thelinkage sufficiently removed from the point of engagement of thefirst-mentioned clamp jaw to include therebetween a linkage lengthsubstantially equal to the circumference of the pipe to be cut, theclamp being adapted to apply tension to the linkage thereby to impart tothe pipe wall a linearly concentrated, radially directed pressure aroundthe circumference of the pipe to effect cutting or parting thereof.

Reference is now made more particularly to the accompanying drawingwherein Figure 1 illustrates apparatus embodying the invention disposedin place around a pipe 30. As shown, the apparatus comprises a flexiblenon-extensible metallic cutter chain or linkage, indicated generally at31, encircling the pipe 30 and including a plurality of alternatinglyspaced, connecting links along the line -20 of Fig- 32 and cutters 33,the latter being provided with curved cutter edges 34 conforminggenerally to the external surface of all pipe, all pivotally connectedvia metallic pins 35. One end of the linkage 31 is pivotally secured toone jaw 36 of a compound leverage pressure clamp at 37, there beingprovided a circular cutter at this junction. The other jaw 38 of theclamp engages, by means of hook 39, or other engageable means (notshown) linkage pin 40, thus to constrict the linkage 31 to a pipewall-shearing pressure around the pipe 30.

By applying pressure to bring together the clamp handles 45 and 46,pivoted about point 47, the force applied is multiplied via the compoundleverage mechanism comprising elements 48 and 49 pivoted to handles 45and 46 at points 50 and 51, and jaw members 36 and 38 pivotally securedat 52 and 53, respectively, to elements 48 and 49, the jaw members beingpivotally joined intermediate their ends at points 54 and 55 by crossbar56. Threaded upstanding studs 57 and 58, secured to handles 45 and 46,respectively, threadably engage outward movement limit nuts 59 and 60,respectively. To adjust the angular relationship between element 48 andhandle 45, and element 49 and handle 46, respectively, in combinationwith studs 57 and 58, bolts 61 and 62 threadably engage elements 48 and49, respectively, and bear against handles 45 and 46, respectively.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure1, wherein pins 35 connect cutters 33, having cutting edges 34, withconnecting links 32.

Figure 3 illustrates, in a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2, the'mounting of rotary cutter elements on the chain. As indicated in Figure3, pins 101, 102 and 103 connect links 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109and rotary cutters 110, 111, and 112, having, respectively, cuttingedges 113, 1 14 and 115.

The various cutters described herein may be formed of suitable metal,alloy, or other high strength material capable of transmitting pressureto the pipe or other article to be out without cracking, shattering, ortoo rapid dulling. Illustrative of suitable materials are various highstrength steels including high carbon steels and low or medium carbonsteels. It will be understood, of course, that as a practical matter theparticular steel employed in forming the cutters and cutting edges isdietated by a consideration of the hardness, brittleness, availability,etc. The angle included between the surfaces defining a cutting edgegenerally may be varied also, a typically preferred angle being about 45degrees.

The Figure 4 is directed to a hydraulically controlled cutter chain andthis embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible, non-extensiblecutter chain engageable at spaced points by chain-engaging means movableto tighten the chain around the article to be cut in response tohydraulic pressure greatly magnified over that applied and provided byapparatus comprising, in combination, a hydraulic pump including a firstpiston movably disposed in a first cylinder operatively connected to asecond piston of substantially increased cross-section disposed in asecond cylinder, said second piston operatively applying fluid pressureto said chain-engaging means when disposed about the article to be cut.The two pistons and cylinders and operative fluid connectiontherebetween may comprise a single unitary structure wherein the pumpand pressure-applying piston are embodied in a single apparatus elementas in the case of the hydraulic pressure applying elements shown inUnited States Patent No. 2,821,877 of Swanson.

Alternatively and preferably, the hydraulic pressureapplying meanscomprises a hydraulic pump such as a hand or foot-operated, orpower-operated, pump capable of applying the necessary pressure, e.g., aNo. 1715 hydraulic hand pump (Greenlee) or an electrically-operatedhydraulic pump, such as the Blackhawk Porto-Power, high pressurehydraulic pump, Model P2, manufactured S by the Black Hawk ManufacturingCompany. Other types of hydraulic pumps of smaller or larger sizes alsomay be used, e.g., as shown in Catalog K of the Strong, Oarlisle &Hammond Company, pages 76, 85, 400, 979 and 980.

When a separate hydraulic pump is used, for example, a commerciallyavailable hydraulic pump of the type indicated, the second hydraulicelement comprises a piston of increased cross-sectional area operativelydisposed in a cylinder, thus constituting a hydraulic actuator, with apressure-resistant fluid circuit between the pump and hydraulic elementas provided by a flexible, pressureresistant hose of any convenientlength, e.g., several feet, typically four to eight feet. Such 'a lengthpermits positioning the hydraulic pump away from the immediate situs ofcutting in a convenient manner for operation yet permits application ofcutting pressure Where it is desired. Typical of suitable hose isBlackhawk Port-Power hose resistant to 10,000 p.s.i. or greater internalpressure. Such hose gene-rally is employed with protective metal guardsadjacent its ends.

The chain-engaging means may take various forms and may be incorporatedas part of the hydraulic pump or elsewhere in the hydraulic circuit. Apresently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a pressureclamp to which pressure is applied by hydraulic means described. Morespecifically preferred is a pair of heavy duty clamp jaws pivotallyconnected intermediate their ends with one end of the jaws adapted toengage the cutter chain while at, or adjacent, the other end is providedwith means operatively to engage a hydraulic actuator whereby movementof the actuator under the influence of hydraulic pressure applied by thepump connected thereto provides the substantial and greatly magnifiedpressure necessary to cut the hollow article. It will be appreciatedthat by properly proportioning the hydraulic elements with dueconsideration to the strength of the materials used, any desiredincrease in pressure for cutting can be provided.

With reference more particularly to the drawing, in Figure 4 there isillustrated a hydraulic cutter of this invention disposed in operativeposition about a pipe 120 to be cut. As there shown, the cuttercomprises a cutter chain, indicated generally at 121, including aplurality of uniformly-spaced, identical cutting edges or cutters 122,pivotally joined into a flexible, non-extensible chain by a plurality ofexternal links 123 and internal links 124 via transverse pins 125extending through the links 123 and 124 and cutters 122, and projectingon both sides thereof. This, it will be appreciated that chain 121 isadapted to be tightened around the pipe 120 to be cut and thereby,without rotation or oscillation thereabout, to apply radially-directed,article-cutting pressure at uniformly circumferentially distributedpoints in response to application of hydraulic pressure by a hydraulicpressure clamp, especially a hydraulic pressure clamp designatedgenerally by the numeral 126 in Figure 4.

Pivotally connected to one end of cutter chain 121 via pin 125 is afirst clamp jaw 127 comprising two similar heavy metal elements of theshape indicated, spaced apart along the common pivot 128 a. distancesuflicient to fit within two elements of a second clamp jaw 129. Thesecond clamp jaw 129, pivotally secured to the first clamp jaw 127 viathe common pivot pin 128 intermediate their ends, since it is made up oftwo spaced apart elements, is provided with an opening for receiving,guiding, and engaging the excess cutter chain beyond that necessary tosurround the article 128, as is dictated by the chain length ending atpin 125 retained in a detent 130' in the forward lip 131 of jaw 129.There also are provided two identical detents 132 in jaw 129 which arespaced apart to receive therebetween the. cutter chain 121 but to retaina pin 125 via its projection through the chain. Embodied in the oppositeend 133 of jaw 127 is a detent or hook 134 removably receiving atransverse pin 135 of a hydraulic. pressure cylinder indicated generallyat 136, the

ends 133 being bent outwardly and parallel to accom modate therebetweenthe pin 135. Between the ends 138 of jaw 129 is pivotally secured atransverse pin 139 engaging a nut 140.

Threadably engaged in nut 140 is a pin 142, threaded for at least aportion of its length and carrying at its upper end extending upwardlythrough the nut 140 a pivotally-secured handle 143, secured thereto viapin 144, for turning pin 142 therein.

At its lower end, pin 142 is fitted into the upper end of a pistonoperatively disposed in cylinder 136 whereby fluid under pressure asfrom a hydraulic pump, designated generally at 147 in fluid connectiontherewith via hose 148, exerts pressure on pin 142 in transmittingpressure pivotally to spread ends 133 and 138 about pin 128, therebydrawing together the opposite ends and tightening the chain 121 aboutpipe 120.

If desired, a tension spring can be secured between the ends 138 and 133of the jaws 127 and 129 to facilitate opening of the jaws when hydraulicpressure is released. It will be understood, of course, that inoperation, the application of hydraulic pressure is continued until thearticle to be cut is severed at which time an appropriate pressurerelease valve on the pump can be opened to permit return of thehydraulic fluid to the pump reservoir. The operation of the hand pump issuch that pulsating forces are applied to the chain to part the pipe.The forces are progressively increased with a pause between each pulse.This pulsing action with a pause between each pulse aids in parting thepipe.

Figure 5 shows the application of an external force which ischaracterized in the claims as a sixth system of forces for forcing atleast a selected rotary cutter means disposed next adjacent to one sideof a terminal cutter means against the elongated fractur-able member tobe fractured. 'The arrangement comprises a saddle 181 which has spacedside flanges provided with detents 18 2 which engage the pins 125 of therotary cutter chain 121. The top surface of the saddle is provided witha detent 183 into which is mounted a piston 186 of a hydraulic cylinder184 which supplies the separate force for forcing the selected rotarycutter means against the outer peripheral surface of the elongatedfracturable member. The arrangement of the piston and cylinder may be ofany design and the upper end of the cylinder is provided with a handle185 around which is mounted a tension chain 187 that wraps around theelongated fracturable member to be fractured. The cylinder 184 isadapted to be connected to the hand-operated pump 147 of Figure 4 bymeans of a conduit 188 and a valve 189. When the valve is open, thecylinder is provided with fluid from the outlet of the pump 147. In thisembodiment of the invention, the pump operates both the hydraulic unitfor the jaws, as well as the piston 186 for pressing the saddle 181against the pins 125 of the cutter chain 121. The arrangement of Figure5 is employed for the parting of large pipe and the application of thepressure seems to work best when the forces are applied to the cuttermeans which are located next adjacent to one of the terminal cuttermeans connected to at least one of the jaws of the hydraulicallyoperated tool. However, it is to be understood that the separatepressure means may be applied to any two of the cutter elements locatedany place around the outer peripheral surface of the elongatedfracturable member which is to be parted.

The Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a method and apparatus forparting an elongated fracturable member. As illustrated best in Figure7, the arrangement and method comprise an annular ring 200 whichsurrounds the elongated fracturable member (pipe) 205 which is to beparted. The annular ring 209 has inwardly directed flanges 201 providinga channel 203 therebetween. Mounted between the channel 203 and theoutside peripheral surface of the pipe 205 are a plurality of hydraulicwedge units 207, each having a rotary cutter means 204;

Each of the hydraulic wedge units 207 comprises a cylinder unit 208 anda piston 209 forming a piston chamber 217 which is supplied with fluidunder pressure through a duct 210 from a fluid conduit system 211operated by a pump 223. The outer end of the piston 209 is provided withan areuate sliding surface 215 which slides circumferentially againstthe channel 203. The inner end of the cylinder arrangement 208 isprovided with two spaced flanges 202 between which a rotary cutter means204 is mounted upon a cross-pin 206 (see Figure 8). The sides of thecylinder arrangement 208 are provided with wedging edges 216 whichextend in a radial direction and are arranged to engage the wedging edgeof the next adjacent hydraulic wedge unit. The hydraulic wedge units 207are all identical except the two terminal units which are arranged to bepivotally connected to the annular ring 200 by means of side pivot arms218 and 219, respectively. As illustrated, the two arms may be pivotallyconnected to the annular ring by means of a. cross-pin 220 and a nut221. Between the two terminal hydraulic wedge units 207 is mounted aspring 222 which forces all the hydraulic wedge units away from theouter surface of the pipe being cut. The sides of the terminal wedgeunits are made arcuate so that the two terminal hydraulic wedge unitsmay arcuately slide with reference to the edges of the hydraulic unitsagainst which they engage.

In operation, when fluid pressure is supplied to all of the hydraulicwedging units, the rotary cutting means 204 are pressed against-theouter peripheral surface of the pipe which is to be parted. To part thepipe, it is only necessary to apply the pressure until the pipe isfractured. As the rotary cutters are pressed inwardly against the pipe,the hydraulic wedging units are forced both in a radial directionagainst the pipe and in a circumferential direction around the pipe. Allof the hydraulic units work the same except the two terminal units whichare pivotally connected to the outer annular ring.

The Figure 10 shows a saddle 230 which may be mounted over the outerannular ring 200 and engages the sides of the cylinder arrangement 208whereby an extra force may be applied to the saddle 230 by means of acylinder and piston arrangement 232 and 233. The piston 233 is arrangedto fit into a detent 231 on top of the saddle 230. The saddle may alsohave side projections 236 which fit into detents 237 on the top edges ofthe cylinder arrangement 208. The cylinder 232 is provided with a handle234 around which a chain 235 is mounted and extends around the outersurface of the annular ring 200. The cylinder and piston arrangement 232and 233 may be connected to the fluid conduit 211 through means of avalve 238 so that when the pump 223 is operated, the separate forcesupplied by the cylinder and piston arrangement 232 and 233 may beapplied to the wedge unit next adjacent to a terminal wedging unit,although the separate force may be applied to any wedge unit.

The Figure 11 shows the method of parting an elongated fracturablemember in a general direction substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal centerline of the member by pressure subjecting the outerperipheral surface to a plurality of cutting means disposed peripherally apart from each other and extending around the elongatedfracturable member. The method comprises the steps of positioning theplurality of cutter means around the outer peripheral surface of thepipe with the cutter means spaced apart from each other in a peripheraldirection and with the cutter means lying in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the elongatedfracturable member. The cutter means may be of the rotary or blade type.The method further provides for the selecting of at least two cuttingmeans of said plurality as first and second terminal cutting means, andpositioning the firstand second terminal cutting means peripherallyapart from each other, leaving a peripheral gap Z therebetween having aperipheral dimension less than one-half of the perimeter of the outerperipheral surface and with the remainder of the cutting means extendingsubstantially around the outer peripheral surface. In Figure 11, thefirst and second terminal cutting means are identified by the referencecharacters T-l and T-2 and the remainder of said cutting means areidentified by the reference characters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, I, K,L, and M. Preferably the peripheral distance between T-1 and T-2 shouldbe less than one-third of the perimeter of the outer peripheral surfacealthough in actual practice it is best that the first and secondterminal cutting means he as close as possible and not much fartherapart than the distance occupied by two to four cutting means. In anyevent, the peripheral distance between the cutter means G and M ispreferably less than one-half the outer perimeter. This affords aninsurance that the peripheral distance between the terminal cuttingmeans T-l and T-2 will be less than one-half the outer perimeter.

The method further comprises the steps of simultane ously applying atleast first, second, third, fourth and fifth systems of inwardlydirected forces to the cutter means for urging the cutter means to makecontact engagement against the outer peripheral surface. As illustratedin Figure 11, the first system comprises substantially a radiallydirected force applied to the cutter means A, which is characterized asan intermediate cutting means and is located on a side of said outerperipheral surface opposite from the gap Z for urging the cutter means Ato move in a substantially radial direction against the outer peripheralsurface to make a substantially straight radially directed (non-skew)indenture 250 therein with the cutter means A remaining substantiallystationary in a peripheral direction :With respect to the outerperipheral surface.

.In Figure 11, the rotary cutting means A is characterized as theintermediate cutting means but in the event that there are an evennumber of rotary cutting means, then the intermediate cutting means maycomprise at least two rotary cutting means instead of one. in fact, whenthe diameter of the rotary cutting means is small compared with thediameter of the outer peripheral surface, then the intermediate cuttingmeans may comprise two or more cutter means instead of one. Therefore inthe claims, the term intermediate cutting means may comprise one or morecutter means.

The second system comprises a first series of resultant forces, eachcomprising a radially directed force and a clockwise peripherallydirected force. The second system of forces is applied in Figure 11 tothe rotary cutter' means B, C, D, E, F and G. These cutter means aredisposed to one side of the intermediate cutter means A and are forcedto gradually creep on the outer peripheral surface to make a series ofskew directed indentures 251 in the outer peripheral surface. The skewdirected indentures 251 are spaced peripherally apart from each otherand extend in a clockwise peripheral direction toward the gap Z. Thedotted circles show the position of the rotary cutter means B, C, D, E,F and G before the pres sure is applied and the full circles show theposition of these cutter means after the pressure is applied. The dottedarrows which are at right angles with respect to each other showrespectively the direction of the radially directed forces and thecircumferentially directed fOl'Cfi. The full arrows show the directionof the radially directed forces and the circumferentially directedforces after the rotary cutting means have made the indentures therein.The length of the arrows do not necessarily represent the magnitude ofthe forces. The movement of the cutter means between the two sets ofarrows (dotted and full line) is not necessarily a straight directedskew but may be properly described as a convex skew (convex arcuatebath) looking in the direction from the outside of the pipe to theinside of the pipe.

The third system comprises a second series of resultant forces, eachcomprising a radially directed force and a counterclockwise peripherallydirected force. The third system of forces is applied in Figure 11 tothe rotary cutter means H, I, J, K, L and M. These cutter means aredisposed to one side of the intermediate cutter means A and are forcedto gradually creep on the outer peripheral surface to make a series ofskew directed indentures 252 in the outer peripheral surface. The skewdirected indentures 252 are spaced peripherally apart from each otherand extend in a counterclockwise peripheral direction toward the gap Z.The dotted circles show the position of the rotary cutter means H, I, J,K, L and M before the pressure is applied and the full circles show theposition of these cutter means after the pressure is applied. The dottedarrows show the direction of the radially directed forces and thecircumferentially directed forces prior to the cutting operation. Thefull arrows show the direction of the radially directed forces and thecircumferentially directed forces after the rotary cutting means havemade the indentures therein. The movement of the cutter means betweenthe two sets of arrows is not necessarily a straight directed skew butmay be properly described as a convex skew (convex arcuate path) lookingin the direction from the outside of the pipe toward the inside of thepipe.

The fourth system comprises a radially directed force and a clockwiseperipherally directed force and the fifth system comprises a radiallydirected force and a counterclockwise peripherally directed force, whichare efiected by the squeezing movement of the pivotally mounted jaws orhydraulic wedging units. The fourth system of forces is represented by aresultant force T-l and the fifth system of forces is represented by aresultant force T-2 in Figure 11. The resultant forces T1 and T-2 areapplied, respectively, to the terminal cutter means T-1 and T-2 forurging them to gradually creep on the outer peripheral surface to makeopposing skew directed indentures 253 and 254 therein. The movement ofthe cutter means T-1 and T-2 to make the indentures 253 and 254 may bedescribed as a concave skew (concave arcuate path) looking in thedirection from the outside of the pipe toward the inside of the pipe.These indentures 253 and 254 are spaced peripherally apart from eachother and extend, respectively, toward each other in resultant paths,with each path comprising a movement which is disposed on spaced apartsections X and Y of an arcuate line extending across the gap Z inside ofthe outer peripheral surface and between the first and second terminalcutting means T4 and T-Z. The spaced apart sections X and Y areangularly misaligned with respect to each other. That is to say,tangents to these spaced apart sections do not lie in the same straightline, but the tangents would be angularly disposed with respect to eachother. In carrying out the method, the magnitude of the forces isincreased until the plurality of cutting means fractures the elongatedfracturable member without substantially relative peripheral movement ofthe intermediate cutting means and the elongated fracturable member.

The indenture 250 at A is generally shallow and the indentures 251 at B,C, D, E, F and G and the indentures 252 at H, I, I, K, L, and Mgradually increase in size (depth) as they approach the terminal cuttermeans T-l and T-2. The indentures 253 and 254 are generally the deepestand largest. In Figure 11, the depth of the indentures is magnified inorder to illustrate the method, but in actual practice the depth of theindentures is shallow, especially for tile and other brittle material.

As noted above, the cutting means, except the intermediate cuttingmeans, creep peripherally during the cutting or parting operation. Theamount of the creep is less than one revolution of the rotary cuttingmeans. In

t0 the case of blade cutting means the amount of the creep is less thanthe distance of a chain link between the cross pins which interconnectthe links of the chain.

While not bound thereby, it is believed that the method of cutting orparting of the fracturable member in accordance with the presentinvention without relative rotation or oscillation of the cutting meansand the fracturable member other than the creeping movement, resides inthe fact that the five system of forces set up in the body of thefracturable member opposing stresses which collide head-on with eachother, aided by the fact that the cutting means, in addition toinitiating a series of peripherally spaced indentures, are workingagainst a frontal incline surface (front side of indentures) which tendto increase the magnitude of the stresses and thereby multiply thepressure or impact of the head-on collision of the stresses. Beginningat cutting means A, where the direction of the stresses aresubstantially radial, the cutting meansv B, C, D, E, F and G and thecutting means H, I, I, K, L, and M, respectively, set up, in addition tothe radial stresses, a series of peripherally directed forces toward thegap Z, and these series of peripherally directed stresses collidehead-on with the opposing stresses set up by the terminal cutting meansT-1 and T-Z. While the head-on collision of stresses are occurring, thecutting means are initiating the series of peripherally spacedindentures and the stresses set up by the cutting means working againstthe frontal incline surface aid in bringing about the fracture whichwhen once started follows a path defined by the stresses around thefracturable member. The series of peripherally spaced indentures leavefull-wall sections therebetween. When a fracture occurs at one or moreof the indentures, it extends peripherally across these full-wallsections making a complete fracture in a path around the entirefracturable member substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalcenterline or axis of the fracturable member. In operation, the depth ofthe indentures are gradually increased until the induced stresses reachsuch a high value as to exceed the physical breaking strength of thewall sections at which point fracture occurs. The concave directed skewsof the terminal cutting means and the convex directed skews of the othercutting means B to G and H to M accounting in part for the conflict ofstresses. Any squeezing arrangement or method other than that disclosedherein wherein at least one of the terminal means makes a radially andperipherally directed skew indenture in opposition to a substantiallyradially directed indenture made by an intermediate cutter means on theopposite side of the fracturable member comes within the scope of theinvention. The sixth system of forces appears to work best when it isapplied to the fracturable member next adjacent the terminal cuttingmeans, although it may be made at other locations. This tends to supportthe theory of the collision of the opposing stresses.

The skew moving cutter means at the locations B, C, D, E, F, and G andH, I, J, K, L, and M and at the terminal cutter means T-l and T-2 appearto make deeper indentures than the indenture made by the substantiallyradially moving cutter means at location A, because the skew movingcutter means cuts mostly on the front or leading side thereof and lesson the trailing side, whereas with the substantially radially movingcutter means at A, cuts substantially equally on both the leading andtrailing sides.

For a 14 inch steel pipe with 27 rotary cutter means in contact, cutterdiameter approximately l inch; cross pins on approximately 1% inchcenters, and approximately 2% inch between terminal cutter means, thelength of chord across indentures were as follows:

Inches (1) At intermediate cutter means 0.50 (2 At successive cuttermeans 0.51 (3) Do 0.52 4 Do 0.54

7 Inches (5) At successive cutter means 0.56 (6) Do 0.59 (7) Do- 0.63(8) Do- 0.65 (9) Do 0.69 (10) Do 0.72 (l1) Do 0.76 (12) Do 0.81 (13) Do0.87 (14) At terminal cutter means 0.93

For a 24 inch tile with 71 rotary cutter means in contact, cutterdiameter approximately 1% inch; cross pins on approximately 1% inchcenters, and approximately 2% inch between terminal cutter means, thelength of indenture chord at intermediate cutter chain was approximately0.200 inch and at terminal cutter means 0.500 inch with lengths ofchords for indentures therebetween gradually increasing fromintermediate indenture to terminal indenture.

In Figure 11, the focal center for the circumference which passesthrough the bottom of the indentures appears to shift a small amount toa new center P along a radial line from the true center of the cuttermeans in their original position toward the location of the cutter meansA.

The method above described may be carried out by rotary cutting elementsor by blade cutting elements and the forces for carrying out the methodmay be applied either by a chain or by a plurality of hydraulic wedgingunits shown in Figure 7. A The process also involves the application ofa sixth system of forces which is not shown in Figure 11, but whichsixth system of forces may be applied by the arrangement shown inFigures and 7, wherein cutting elements next adjacent to the termnialcutting elements are applied with additional force.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Method of parting an elongated fracturable member comprising thesteps of, making a first and second series of discontinuous indenturesspaced peripherally apart from each other and extending around the outerperipheral surface of said elongated fracturable member with saidindentures lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to thecenterline of said elongated fracturable member and with the firstseries of indentures extending in a clockwise direction from a firstplace to a second place on said outer surface, whereby the peripheraldistance between said first and second places is greater than onefourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said outer peripheralsurface, and with said second series of indentures extending in acounterclockwise direction from said first place to a third place onsaid outer surface, whereby the peripheral distance between said firstand third places if greater than one-fourth and less than onehalf of theperimeter of said outer peripheral surface, and whereby the peripheraldistance between said second and third places is less than one-half ofthe perimeter of said outer peripheral surface, increasing the size ofsaid discontinuous indentures beginning with a minimum amount at saidfirst place and increasing same to a gradually larger amount in bothsaid series until a maximum amount is attained at said second and thirdplaces, and continuously increasing the size of said discontinuousindentures until said elongated fracturable member fractures.

. 2. Method of parting an elongated fracturable member comprising thesteps of, making a first and second series of discontinuous indenturesspaced peripherally apart from each other and extending around the outerperipheral surface of said elongated fracturable member withsaidindentures lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to thecenterline of said elongated fracturable member and with the firstseries of indentures extending in a clockwise direction from a firstplace to a second place on said outer surface, whereby the peripheraldistance between said first and second places is greater than onefourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said outer peripheralsurface, and with said second series of indentures extending in acounterclockwise direction from said first place to a third place onsaid outer surface, whereby the peripheral distance between said firstand third places is greater than one-fourth and less than onehalf of theperimeter of said outer peripheral surface, and whereby the peripheraldistance between said second and third places is less than one-half ofthe perimeter of said outer peripheral surface, increasing the size ofsaid discontinuous indentures beginning with a minimum amount at saidfirst place and increasing same to a gradually larger amount in bothsaid series until a maximum amount is attained at said second and thirdplaces, controlling the making of the indenture at said first place bysubstantially a nadially directed force, controlling the making of theindenture at said second place by a concave clockwise skew directedforce, controlling the making of the indenture at said third place by aconcave counterclockwise skew directed force, controlling the making ofthe indentures between said first and second places by convex clockwiseskew directed forces, controlling the making of the indentures betweensaid first and third places by convex counterclockwise skew directedforces, and continuously increasing the size of said discontinuousindentures until said elongated fracturable member fractures.

3. Method of parting an elongated fracturable member comprising thesteps of simultaneously making a first, second, third, fourth and fifthindenture means, spaced peripherally apart from each other and extendingaround the outer peripheral surface of said elongated fracturable memberwith said indenture means lying in a plane substantially perpendicularto the centerline of said elongated fracturable member; with said firstindenture means being made substantially by an inwardly directed radialmovement at a first location; with said second indenturemeans comprisinga series of discontinuous indenture means extending around theperipheral outer surface of the elongated fracturable member for aperipheral distance greater than one-fourth and less than one-half theperimeter thereof and located to one side of said first indenture meansand each said second indenture means being made by an inwardly directedradial movement and a clockwise directed peripheral movement; with saidthird indenture means comprising a series of discontinuous indenturemeans extending around the peripheral outer surface of the elongatedfracturable member for a peripheral distance greater than one-fourth Iand less than one-half the perimeter thereof and located on the otherside of said first indenture means and each said third indenture meansbeing made by an inwardly directed radial movement and acounterclockwise directed peripheral movement; with said fourth andfifth indenture means located substantially opposite from said firstindenture means and disposed between the series of said second and thirdindenture means with said fourth indenture means being made by aninwardly directed radial movement and a clockwise directed peripheralmovement and with said fifth indeuture means being made by an inwardlydirected radial movement and a counterclockwise directed peripheralmovement, and continuously increasing the size of said indenture meansuntil said elongated fracturable member fnactures.

4. A method of fracturing and parting an elongated fracturable membercomprising a first step of substantially gasses l3 simultaneouslyapplying to the outer peripheral surface of said fractunable memberfirst, second, third, fourth, and fifth systems of inwardly directedforces spaced peripherally apart from each other around said fracturablemember and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to thecenterline thereof to induce in said fracturable member a plurality ofinternal penetrating stresses in said plane with said first system offorces being applied to said outer surface at a first place, with saidfourth system of forces being applied at a second place in a clockwisedirection from said first place and having a peripheral distancetherefrom greater than one-fourth and less than one-half of theperimeter of said outer surface, with said second system of forces beingapplied at a plurality of separate places extending in a clockwisedirection between said first place and said second place, with saidfifth system of forces being applied at a third place in acounterclockwise direction from said first place and having a peripheraldistance therefrom greater than onefourth and less than one-half of theperimeter of said outer surface and with said third system of forcesbeing applied at a plurality of separate places extending in acounterclockwise direction between said first place and said thirdplace, a second step of substantially simultaneously increasing themagnitude of all said forces and the intensity of said internal stressmrespectively at said places where said forces are applied to said outersurface, said increasing of the magnitude in said second step of saidfirst system of forces comprising maintaining the application of saidfirst system of forces at said first place substantially in a fixedposition relative to said outer surface to intensify the internalstresses thereat in substantially a radial direction, said increasing ofthe magnitude in said second step of said fourth and second system offorces comprising urging the application of said fourth and secondsystem of forces respectively at said second place and at the placesbetween said first and second places to creep clockwise relative to saidouter surface to intensify the internal stresses respectively thereat insubstantially a radial and peripheral clockwise skew direction, saidincreasing of the magnitude in said second step of said fifth and thirdsystem of forces comprising urging the application of said fifth andthird system of forces respectively at said third place and at theplaces between said first and third places to creep counterclockwiserelative to said outer surface to intensify the internal stressesrespectively thereat in substantially a radial and peripheralcounterclockwise skew direction, and a third step of furthersubstantially simultaneously increasing the magnitude of all said forcesto intensify said internal stresses until the intensified stressesfracture and part said fracturable member.

5. A method of fracturing and parting an elongated fracturable membercomprising a first step of substantially simultaneously applying to theouter peripheral surface of said fracturable member first, second,third, fourth, and fifth systems of inwardly directed forces spacedperipherally apart from each other around said fracturable member andlying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline thereofto induce in said fracturable member a plurality of internal penetratingstresses in said plane with said first system of forces being applied tosaid outer surface at a first place, with said fourth system of forcesbeing applied at a second place in a clockwise direction from said firstplace and having a peripheral distance therefrom greater than one-fourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said outer surface, with saidsecond system of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a clockwise direction between said first place and saidsecond place, with said fifth system of forces being applied at a thirdplace in a counterclockwise direction from said first place and having aperipheral distance therefrom greater than one-fourth and less thanone-half of the perimeter of said outer surface and with said thirdsystem of forces 14 being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a counterclockwise direction between said first place andsaid third place, a second step of substantially simultaneouslyincreasing the magnitude of all said forces and the intensity of saidinternal stresses and at the same time making a plurality ofdiscontinuous indentures respectively at said places where said forcesare applied to said outer surface, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said first system of forces comprising maintainingthe application of said first system of forces at said first placesubstantially in a fixed position relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge said indenture thereat insubstantially a radial direction, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said fourth and second system of forces comprisingurging the application of said fourth and second system of forcesrespectively at said second place and at the places between said firstand second places to creep clockwise relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge the indenturesrespectively thereat in substantially a radial and peripheral clockwiseskew direction, said increasing of the magnitude in said second step ofsaid fifth and third system of forces comprising urging the applicationof said fifth and third system of forces respectively at said thirdplace and at the places between said first and third places to creepcounterclockwise relative to said outer surface to intensify theinternal stresses and to enlarge the indentures respectively thereat insubstantially a radial and peripheral counterclockwise skew direction,and a third step of further substantially simultaneously increasing themagnitude of all said forces to intensify said internal stresses and toenlarge said indent ures until the intensified stresses fracture andpart said fracturable member.

6. A method of fracturing and parting an elongated fracturable membercomprising a first step of substantially simultaneously applying to theouter peripheral surface of said fracturable member first, second,third, fourth, and fifth systems of inwardly directed forces spacedperipherally apart from each other around said fracturable member andlying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline thereofto induce in said fracturable member a plurality of internal penetratingstresses in said plane with said first system of forces being applied tosaid outer surface at a first place, with said fourth system of forcesbeing applied at a second place in a clockwise direction from said firstplace and having a peripheral distance therefrom greater than one fourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said out er surface, withsaid second system of forces being ap plied at a plurality of separateplaces extending in a clockwise direction between said first place andsaid second place, with said fifth system of forces being applied at athird place in a counterclockwise direction from said first place andhaving a peripheral distance there from greater than one-fourth and lessthan one-half of the perimeter of said outer surface and with said thirdsystem of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a counterclockwise direction between said first place andsaid third place, a second step of substantially simultaneouslyincreasing the magnitude of all said forces and the intensity of saidinternal stresses respectively at said places where said forces areapplied to said outer surface, said increasing of the magnitude in saidsecond step of said first system of forces comprising maintaining theapplication of said first system of forces at said first placesubstantially in a fixed position relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses thereat in substantially a radialdirection, said increasing of the magnitude in said second step of saidfourth and second system of forces comprising urging the application ofsaid fourth and second system of forces respectively at said secondplace and at the places between said first and second places to 15 creepclockwise relative to said outer surface to intensify the internalstresses respectively thereat in substantially a radial and peripheralclockwise skew direction, said increasing of the magnitude in saidsecond step of said fifth and third system of forces comprising urgingthe application of said fifth and third system of forces respectively atsaid third place and at the places between said first and thirdplaces tocreep counterclockwise relative to said outer surface to intensify theinternal stresses respectively thereat in substantially a radial andperipheral counterclockwise skew direction with the counterclockwiseskew direction at said third I place being opposite and angularlydisposed with respect to the clockwise skew direction at said secondplace, and a third step of further substantially simultaneouslyincreasing the magnitude of all said forces to intensify said internalstresses until the intensified stresses fracture and part saidfracturable member.

7. A method of fracturing and parting an elongated fracturable membercomprising a first step of substantially simultaneously applying to theouter peripheral surface of said fracturable member first, second,third, fourth, and fifth systems of inwardly directed forces spacedperipherally apart from each other around said fracturable member andlying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline thereofto induce in said fracturable member a plurality of internal penetratingstresses in said plane with said first system of forces being applied tosaid outer surface at a first place, with said fourth system of forcesbeing applied at a second place in a clockwise direction from said firstplace and having a peripheral distance therefrom greater than onefourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said outer surface, with saidsecond system of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a clockwise direction between said first place and saidsecond place, with said fifth system of forces being applied at a thirdplace in a counterclockwise direction from said first place and having aperipheral distance therefrom greater than one-fourth and less thanone-half of the perimeter of said outer surface and with said thirdsystem of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a counterclockwise direction between said first place andsaid third place, a second step of substantially simultaneouslyincreasing the magnitude of all said forces and the intensity of saidinternal stresses and at the same time making a plurality ofdiscontinuous indentures respectively at said places where said forcesare applied to said outer surface, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said first system of forces comprising maintainingthe application of said first system of forces at said first placesubstantially in a fixed position relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge said indenture thereat insubstantially a radial direction, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said fourth and second system of forces comprisingurging the application of said fourth and second system of forcesrespectively at said second place and at the places between said firstand second places to creep clockwise relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge the indenturesrespectively thereat in substantially a radial and peripheral clockwiseskew direction, said increasing of the magnitude in said second step ofsaid fifth and third system of forces comprising urging the applicationof said fifth and third system of forces respectively at said thirdplace and at the places between said first and third places to creepcounterclockwise relative to said outer surface to intensify theinternal stresses and to enlarge the indentures respectively thereat insubstantially a radial and peripheral counterclockwise skew directionand with the indentures at said second and third places respectivelybeing larger than the indenture at said first place, and a third step offurther substantially simultaneously increasing the magnitude of allsaid forces to 16 intensify said internal stresses and to enlarge saidindentures until the intensified stresses fracture and part saidfracturable member.

8. A method of fracturing and parting an elongated fracturable membercomprising a first step of substantially simultaneously applying to theouter peripheral surface of said fracturable member first, second,third, fourth, and fifth systems of inwardly directed forces spacedperipherally apart from each other around said fracturable member andlying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline thereofto induce in said fracturable member a plurality of internal penetratingstresses in said plane with said first system of forces being applied tosaid outer surface at a first place, with said fourth system of forcesbeing applied at a second place in a clockwise direction from said firstplace and having a peripheral distance therefrom greater than onefourthand less than one-half of the perimeter of said outer surface, with saidsecond system of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a clockwise direction between said first and said secondplace, with said fifth system of forces being applied at a third placein a counterclockwise direction from said first place and having aperipheral distance therefrom greater than one-fourth and less thanone-half of the perimeter of said outer surface and with said thirdsystem of forces being applied at a plurality of separate placesextending in a counterclockwise direction between said first place andsaid third place, a second step of substantially simultaneouslyincreasing the magnitude of all said forces and the intensity of saidinternal stresses and at the same time making a plurality ofdiscontinuous indentures respectively at said places where said forcesare applied to said outer surface, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said first system of forces comprising maintainingthe application of said first system of forces at said first placesubstantially in a fixed position relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge said indenture thereat insubstantially a radial direction, said increasing of the magnitude insaid second step of said fourth and second system of forces comprisingurging the application of said fourth and second system of forcesrespectively at said second place and at the places between said firstand second places to creep clockwise relative to said outer surface tointensify the internal stresses and to enlarge the respective indenturesthereat in substantially a radial and peripheral clockwise skewdirection with the clockwise skew direction at said second place beingcon cave, said increasing of the magnitude in said second step of saidfifth and third system of forces comprising urging the application ofsaid fifth and third system of forces respectively at said third placeand at the places between said first and third places to creepcounterclockwise relative to said outer surface to intensify theinternal stresses and to enlarge the respective indentures thereat insubstantially a radial and peripheral counterclockwise skew directionwith the counterclockwise skew direction at said third place beingconcave and being opposite and angularly disposed with respect to thecon cave clockwise skew direction at said second place and with theindentures at said second and third places respectively being largerthan the indenture at said first place, and a third step of furthersubstantially simultaneously increasing the magnitude of all said forcesto intensify said internal stresses and to enlarge said indentures untilthe intensified stresses fracture and part said fracturable member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I553,663 Anderson Jan. 28, 1896 1,510,256 Conning Sept. 30, 19242,568,280 Frost Sept. 18, 1951

